Antoinette Maggio, former CB5 member and Ridgewood resident, dies at 90

by
Andrew ShillingQueens Ledger

Jul 10, 2013 | 2579 views | 0 | 69 | |

Antoinette Maggio, president of the Citizens for a Better Ridgewood Civic Association and long time Ridgewood resident, passed away on Friday, July 5. She was 90.

The former Community Board 5 member and longtime civic leader moved to Ridgewood in 1938 when her parents bought a house on Suydam Street, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

After she graduated from Hunter College in 1944, Maggio worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until she married Anthony Maggio in 1948. Together they had two children, Joann and Anthony, who both attended St. Aloysius School where the parents became very involved.

Maggio later taught at the school from 1967 to 1983, and helped set up dozens of science workshops and fairs, education classes, guidance and counseling programs, and adult education and ESL programs.

In 1984, she played an integral role in the redevelopment of the Grover Cleveland Athletic Field and worked with then-Borough President Claire Shulman and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan to address garbage dumping and drug use in the park.

She was a founding member of the Citizens for a Better Ridgewood Civic Association in 1993 and the Suydam Street Block Association in 1985, where she also served as president.

“As a civic leader and an active member of Community Board 5, Ann Maggio dedicated countless hours fighting for a better Ridgewood,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley. “In our hearts her relentless civic activism will always be remembered.”

Maggio also served as secretary of the Onderdonk Civic Organization, trustee of St. Aloysius Parish, member of the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center advisory board, and as an English tutor at Federazoine Italo-American di Brooklyn and Queens.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall presented Maggio with the “Queens Heroine Award” as part of Women’s Heritage Month in 2004 for her commitment to the advancement of Queens.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of Ridgewood’s longest serving civic leaders,” said Councilwoman Diana Reyna. “Ann dedicated her life to the betterment of her neighbors, friends, family and the Ridgewood community at large.”

CB5 district manager Gary Giordano remembered his longtime friend and her vital role in the Ridgewood.

“Ann Maggio was one of the most courageous, caring and effective civic leaders that I have known for more than 30 years,” Giordano said. “This wonderful lady has been a blessing and treasure for Ridgewood and the neighboring communities.”

Maggio is survived by her two children, her daughter-in-law Tracy, and grandson Andrew.